lifespanhttp://ripr.org
enTeamsters, Rhode Island Hospital forge tentative agreementhttp://ripr.org/post/teamsters-rhode-island-hospital-forge-tentative-agreement
<p>The Teamsters Union Local 251 and Rhode Island Hospital management have reached a tentative agreement on a four-year contract that the union says will bring $19 million in improved wages and benefits to workers at the Lifespan hospital network.</p><p>The agreement was reached late Friday evening, according to a statement by the union bargaining committee posted on social media.</p>Sat, 21 Mar 2015 19:22:00 +0000Scott MacKay48254 at http://ripr.orgHunting For Alzheimers Vaccine, Researchers Turn To Publichttp://ripr.org/post/hunting-alzheimers-vaccine-researchers-turn-public
<p>Brain researchers are hoping more Rhode Islanders will enroll in the state’s Alzheimers Disease prevention registry. The goal is to find candidates for clinical trials to find new therapies for Alzheimers.</p>Mon, 09 Mar 2015 10:00:00 +0000Kristin Gourlay47575 at http://ripr.orgDebrief: What Could A Strike At RI Hospital Mean?http://ripr.org/post/debrief-what-could-strike-ri-hospital-mean
<p>Workers at Rhode Island Hospital have threatened to strike as contract negotiations reach an impasse. A federal mediator has been called in to help broker a deal between the hospital and members of the Teamsters union. The Teamsters represent certified nurses’ assistants and unit assistants, people who help care for patients.</p><p>What could a strike mean for patients <em>and</em> employees? Rhode Island Public Radio’s health care reporter Kristin Gourlay joins host Dave Fallon to sort through the issues.</p><p></p>Fri, 20 Feb 2015 22:30:00 +0000Kristin Gourlay46878 at http://ripr.orgDebrief: What Could A Strike At RI Hospital Mean?Teamsters Authorize Strike At Rhode Island Hospitalhttp://ripr.org/post/teamsters-authorize-strike-rhode-island-hospital
<p>Members of the Teamsters union working at Rhode Island Hospital voted Wednesday evening to authorize a strike. Don’t expect to see picket lines immediately.</p><p>The vote simply gives union leadership the authority to give the hospital 10 days' notice before striking. But members could walk off the job in a couple of weeks if they don’t reach a new contract deal with hospital management. A federal mediator has been called in, according to hospital officials.</p>Wed, 18 Feb 2015 21:33:52 +0000Kristin Gourlay46770 at http://ripr.orgLifespan, CVS MinuteClinics To Share Electronic Medical Recordshttp://ripr.org/post/lifespan-cvs-minuteclinics-share-electronic-medical-records
<p>Lifespan hospitals and CVS pharmacy’s walk-in health clinics say they’ve agreed to share patients’ electronic medical records.</p><p>Lifespan is Rhode Island’s biggest health system, and it’s in the midst of implementing a brand new electronic medical records system. A spokeswoman for Lifespan says there’s no timeline yet for the collaboration with CVS Health (formerly <em>CVS Caremark</em>), and the details still have to be worked out. But sometime after the system is live, the two organizations will be able to share information about patients.</p>Mon, 27 Oct 2014 18:04:10 +0000Kristin Gourlay41401 at http://ripr.orgLifespan, CVS MinuteClinics To Share Electronic Medical RecordsLifespan Hits Employees Who Use Tobacco With Surchargehttp://ripr.org/post/lifespan-hits-employees-who-use-tobacco-surcharge
<p>Lifespan, one of Rhode Island's largest employers, is implementing a new policy that will make employees who use tobacco products pay a surcharge.</p><p>The policy will tack on an extra $600 a year to the medical benefits of any employee or spouse or domestic partner covered by company insurance who uses tobacco products. That includes cigarettes, chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes.</p><p>Lifespan will also offer employees free smoking cessation programs.</p><p>Lifespan’s CEO says it’s a way to encourage employees to quit. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>Mon, 14 Jul 2014 20:17:07 +0000Catherine Welch36718 at http://ripr.orgBradley School Splits from Bradley Hospital Campushttp://ripr.org/post/bradley-school-splits-bradley-hospital-campus
<p>The Bradley School is leaving its home on the grounds of Bradley Hospital for a new facility in Providence. Bradley officials say they plan to make the move on September first.</p><p>A letter sent to Bradley parents says the school will now share space with the Urban Collaborative Accelerated Program, a school for students who have fallen behind and are at serious risk for dropping out. The letter touts larger classrooms, a cafeteria and a newly constructed gymnasium.</p>Mon, 07 Jul 2014 13:04:35 +0000Elisabeth Harrison36327 at http://ripr.orgLifespan, BCBSRI Ink Accountable Care Dealhttp://ripr.org/post/lifespan-bcbsri-ink-accountable-care-deal
<p>The state’s largest hospital chain and largest insurer have inked an agreement to share patient data that will help them look for ways to improve health and save money. The deal is the largest of its kind in the state and could shape health care for more than 35,000 Rhode Islanders.</p>Wed, 25 Jun 2014 17:00:15 +0000Kristin Gourlay35769 at http://ripr.orgMarijuana Debate Heats Up; Lifespan, Kennedy At Oddshttp://ripr.org/post/marijuana-debate-heats-lifespan-kennedy-odds
<p>A bill is making its way through Rhode Island's General Assembly that would legalize marijuana and regulate and tax it like alcohol. Possessing small amounts has already been decriminalized here. And interest has been growing in legalization for a while.</p><p>Proponents say that legalizing the drug would keep harmless people out of jail. Opponents say marijuana is just as dangerous as any other drug and should remain illegal.</p><p>The arguments are heating up.</p>Fri, 21 Feb 2014 19:43:29 +0000Kristin Gourlay29477 at http://ripr.orgTo Curb Abuse, Lifespan ERs Adopt Rx Painkiller Guidelineshttp://ripr.org/post/curb-abuse-lifespan-ers-adopt-rx-painkiller-guidelines
<p>Rhode Island Hospital and the entire Lifespan network have announced new guidelines for prescribing painkillers in their emergency rooms. ER doctors are trying to address the growing problem of prescription drug abuse and addiction.</p>Wed, 18 Dec 2013 20:07:26 +0000Kristin Gourlay26484 at http://ripr.org